The Department of Agriculture (DA) XI recently handed over a brand new Biosecured and Climate-controlled Swine Facility worth P5.5M to the Davao Oriental Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DOMMUPCO). The aim is to boost swine production, ensuring that pork products are readily available, accessible, and affordable in the Davao Oriental province, thereby accelerating the recovery of the swine industry.
On June 9, 2023, the coop beneficiary in Ligaran, Brgy. Don Salvador Lopez, City of Mati received a facility equipped with a Bio-secured Tunnel Ventilated Piggery, a biogas system, and 75 stock piglets along with feeds and biologics. The recipients were delighted to receive this helpful and valuable asset.
As part of the Department of Agriculture’s National Livestock Program, the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) has been implemented to provide assistance in the repopulation and restocking of swine. This initiative aims to address the significant losses suffered by pig farms, the reduced supply of pork, and the resulting increase in pork meat prices due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The turnover ceremony of a new facility was led by Vice-Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy on behalf of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon. Also in attendance was DA XI Supervising Agriculturist Engr. Lorenzo Bernillo, representing Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo. The Vice-Governor emphasized the project’s significance, not only to the beneficiaries but also to the community. He highlighted how the facility’s proper housing for a good supply of pork can help the farmers become self-reliant, respond to food crises, and reduce pork prices in the market, ultimately benefiting all consumers. The impact of this project extends to all sectors of the community.
The swine facility, which can hold a total of 240 heads maximum capacity, is the first project completed in the province and in Davao Region.
Davao Oriental has approved 11 similar projects for the INSPIRE Program, including DOMMUPCO, with a total budget allocation of P64M. The other 10 cooperative beneficiaries have varying project statuses, including completion, mobilization, procurement, finalization of documents, and one with ongoing construction. The following are the ten other cooperatives:
(1) LIMSCOFARMCO of the Municipality of Lupon with its farm site in Barangay Causwagan, Banaybanay (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(2) La Union Farmers Association of the Municipality of San Isidro with its farm site in Barangay La Union, San Isidro (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(3) Women’s Coop – Tarragona with its farm site in Barangay Central, Tarragona (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(4) AFPC – Baganga with its farm site in Barangay Saoquege, Baganga (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(5) CAFROCO of the Municipality of Cateel with its farm site in Barangay Aragon, Cateel (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(6) TIMCO – Cateel with its farm site in Barangay Taytayan, Cateel (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(7) Lapagan Cooperative of Mati City with its farm site in Barangay Don Martin Marundan, Mati City (P5.5M – INSPIRE 2022);
(8) Uswag Carmen Irigators Association of the Municipality of Boston with its farm site in Barangay Carmen, Boston (P5M – INSPIRE 2023);
(9) San Luis Farmers Association IA Inc of the Municipality of Caraga with its farm site in Barangay San Luis, Caraga (P10M – INSPIRE 2023);
(10) Tiblawan Fisherfolks and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of the Municipality of Governor Generoso with its farm site in Barangay Tiblawan, Governor Generoso (P5M – INSPIRE 2023).
The objective of the project is to positively influence the economy of Davao Oriental by creating employment opportunities, ensuring adequate pork supply to potentially lower its price, and generating revenue from related industries throughout the value chain, such as corn farmers, labor sector, and AgriVet suppliers.
Also present during the turn-over ceremony was the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture Board Member Rotchie Ravelo, together with other local officials from the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, City Government of Mati, and the barangay along with the key persons of the Department of Agriculture and the cooperating agencies with Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Eric Dagmang and City Veterinarian Marites Erispe. By Mark Oliver Alvite
